Viet Bac Heritage Area – Essence and Identity

Not only is it a sacred land that preserves precious traditional cultural and historical values, Viet Bac is also endowed by nature with majestic landscapes and traditional cultural values that are always preserved and promoted by the ethnic people of Viet Bac. Now, "Journey through the heritage sites of Viet Bac" has created its own tourism brand with 6 localities - 1 destination.

CAO BANG

When mentioning Cao Bang, everyone must think of the 4th largest waterfall in the world - Ban Gioc Waterfall, top 10 most magnificent waterfalls in the world, considered one of the priceless gifts that nature has bestowed on Cao Bang. Phia Oac National Park, Phia Den, Nguom Ngao Cave National Scenic Area with amazing beauty, Cao Bang Non Nuoc Global Geopark makes visitors feel like they are lost in a magical maze.

BAC KAN

When mentioning Bac Kan, tourists immediately think of the special national relic site of Ba Be Lake, known as the green pearl of humanity. Taking a boat along the Nang River, around Ba Be Lake, you will be able to admire the pristine beauty like a watercolor painting. Ba Be Lake is also one of the 20 largest freshwater lakes in the world. Together with the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang Province, the People's Committee of Bac Kan Province has coordinated to compile a scientific dossier of the Ba Be (Bac Kan) - Na Hang (Tuyen Quang) Natural Heritage Site to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a world natural heritage.

LANG SON

Lang Son is famous for the image of To Thi holding her child waiting for her husband, symbolizing the image of a loyal and steadfast Vietnamese woman. With dozens of magical caves such as Tam Thanh, Nhi Thanh, Gio, Tien caves, along with historical relics associated with glorious victories against foreign invaders of the nation such as Muc Nam Quan, Chi Lang pass, Bac Son revolutionary base. In particular, Mau Son peak is 30 km east of Lang Son city, located at an altitude of 1,541m above sea level with a temperate climate and an average annual temperature of 15.60C, has become a highlight attracting tourists.

THAI NGUYEN

Coming to the “Windy Capital” Thai Nguyen, passing through palm forests and green tea hills, you will arrive at the ATK Dinh Hoa National Special Relic Site, part of the Viet Bac relic complex. Here is Nui Coc Lake - famous for its natural beauty for many years and for the legendary colors of the legend of Cong and Coc, to see the power of moving mountains and filling seas, opening mountains, breaking rocks and the endless creativity of humans. Phuong Hoang Eco-tourism Area, Mua Roi Waterfall, Ghenh Che Lake are also gifts of nature bestowed upon Thai Nguyen.

TUYEN QUANG

Dubbed as “Ha Long in the middle of the jungle”, Na Hang – Lam Binh National Special Scenic Nature Reserve has become an indispensable destination in the Tuyen Quang travel itinerary. The majestic, pristine landscape with a system of caves, magical waterfalls, and primeval forests has become a destination for many travel enthusiasts.

Tourists can choose from many forms of tourism on the lake such as: Kayaking, fishing... The highlight of Tuyen Quang's resort tourism is the My Lam hot mineral spring with a temperature of over 69oC, which is considered to have the best mineral content in Vietnam. Coming here, tourists can enjoy relaxation and balance all senses.

Ha Giang - the land at the head of the Fatherland with many beautiful scenes that make people's hearts flutter, proud and proud of the sacred flagpole of the Fatherland on the top of Lung Cu affirming the territorial sovereignty and the eternal existence of the nation. That is Dong Van stone plateau - a global geological park and world natural heritage, Ma Pi Leng - one of the four great mountain passes, Quan Ba Twin Mountains is a "work of art" that makes visitors amazed by the majestic beauty of nature.

Viet Bac is known as the home of over 30 ethnic groups. Through the ups and downs of history and the development of all aspects of society, the ethnic groups of the 6 provinces of Viet Bac still preserve their own unique identity. From the system of festivals, rituals to costumes, jewelry and folk songs and dances.

If Ha Giang is famous for the Cau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic group, the Ban Vuong festival of the Dao ethnic group, the Khau Vai love market "when going alone, when returning in pairs", Lang Son has the Ky Cung - Ta Phu temple festival, Tam Thanh pagoda festival, then when mentioning Tuyen Quang, perhaps the most impressive and unique festival is Thanh Tuyen Festival. The festival emerged from the aspirations of the people. The people are the creators and also the beneficiaries. Preserving and promoting traditional values combined with creativity and ingenuity, Tuyen Quang people have created hundreds of giant and brilliant Mid-Autumn models.

In particular, in June 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced more heritages to the list of national intangible cultural heritages. In the Viet Bac provinces, Tuyen Quang has 4 recognized heritages including: "Fire dancing ceremony of the Pa Then people" in Hong Quang commune (Lam Binh); "Hong Thai communal house festival" in Tan Trao commune (Son Duong); "Knowledge about water wheels of the Tay people" in Trung Ha, Ha Lang communes (Chiem Hoa), Con Lon commune (Na Hang), Phuc Yen commune (Lam Binh); "Knowledge and practices of wet rice cultivation of the Tay people" in Lang Can, Hong Quang, Khuon Ha, Thuong Lam, Phuc Yen communes (Lam Binh). Bac Kan province has "Lullaby of the Tay people" in Giao Hieu commune (Pac Nam). Cao Bang province has "Brocade weaving of the Tay people" in Ngoc Dao commune (Ha Quang).

Along with that is the system of cultural activities, typical beliefs, unique folk songs and folk dances such as: Sinh ca of the Cao Lan people, cap sac ceremony, Pao Dung of the Dao people, Soong Co of the San Diu people... containing profound historical and humanistic values. In particular, the simple and sincere lifestyle and cultural activities of the Viet Bac people have become extremely attractive features for tourists to explore.

Viet Bac is also blessed by nature with many valuable products such as Trung Khanh chestnuts (Cao Bang); tangerines, black canarium (Bac Kan); Lang Son persimmons, Mau Son peaches, Chi Lang custard apples (Lang Son); Tan Cuong tea (Thai Nguyen); Hoang Su Phi plums and pears (Ha Giang) ... bearing the natural flavor of the mountains and forests. With unique culinary flavors, reflecting the customs and lifestyle of the highland people such as Khao cake (Cao Bang); Ba Be sour shrimp (Bac Kan); roasted pork (Lang Son); Bo Dau square sticky rice cake (Thai Nguyen); Chiem Hoa gai cake, Na Hang corn wine (Tuyen Quang); thang co, au tau porridge (Ha Giang) ... have truly left a lasting impression on those who have enjoyed them once.

Among the total of 128 special national relics nationwide, Viet Bac has contributed many relics, typically: Pac Bo (Cao Bang); Tan Trao relic site, Kim Binh historical relic site, Na Hang - Lam Binh scenic spot (Tuyen Quang); ATK Dinh Hoa (Thai Nguyen); Ba Be Lake scenic spot (Bac Kan)... Among the 22 heritages of Vietnam honored by UNESCO, Viet Bac is also the area with many recognized heritages, such as: Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (Ha Giang); Then practice of the Tay, Nung, Thai people in Vietnam... All of these create a rich, diverse and unique heritage area, which is a potential strength for localities to develop tourism economy with many diverse forms.